The Thai tourism industry recorded total international arrivals of 31.25 million in January-October 2018, up 7.84%, generating an estimated 1.63 trillion Baht in tourism revenue, up by 9.98% over the same period of 2017.

China headed the list with more than nine million arrivals followed by Malaysia (3.18m) and South Korea (1.46m)

Top 10 markets for Thailand in January – October 2018

Rank

Country

No. of Arrivals

%Change

1

China

9,022,192

10.03

2

Malaysia

3,179,768

12.73

3

South Korea

1,466,676

4.77

4

Lao PDR.

1,446,835

4.92

5

Japan

1,353,301

6.89

6

India

1,287,978

11.23

7

Russia

1,101,619

11.75

8

Vietnam

881,551

9.46

9

USA

875,485

5.61

10

Hong Kong

850,498

25.46

Remark: Preliminary figuresSource: Ministry of Tourism and Sports and TAT

Summary of the key results in Jan-Oct 2018:

Overview: All regions grew well except the Middle East and Oceania. Visitors from East Asia totalled 21.58 million (+9.71%), Europe 5.24 million (+4.24%), the Americas 1.25 million (+3.01%), South Asia 1.60 million (+10.75%), Oceania 766,119 (-1.74%), Middle East 635,311 (-6.29%), and Africa 158,630 (+8.41%).

East Asia: East Asian visitor arrivals comprised the biggest market share of all visitors. A total of 21.58 million or 69% were from East Asian countries. Apart from China, the other top sources of arrivals were Malaysia (3.17 million), South Korea (1.46 million) and Lao PDR. (1.44 million).

Europe: European visitors were up 4.24% to 5.24 million. Russia retained its status as the largest source market from Europe with arrivals of 1.1 million, up 11.75%. The United Kingdom is the second highest source market with a total of 788,333, followed by Germany 695,077, up 3.96%.

The Americas: Arrivals from the Americas grew 3.01% to 1.25 million. The main market, USA, increased by 5.61% to 875,485. Arrivals from Canada were up 7.52%.

South Asia: Arrivals from South Asia grew by a strong 10.75% to 1.60 million. India topped the list with arrivals up by 11.23% to 1.28 million. Other countries also showed good growth; such as, Nepal (+25%), Bangladesh (+8.70%), Pakistan (+3.64%), Sri Lanka (+3.39%).

Oceania: Arrivals from Oceania declined by 1.74% to 766,119 visitors. Australian visitors declined by 1.96% to 665,308. Arrivals from New Zealand declined by 0.47% to 97,631.

Middle East: Arrivals from the UAE declined by 7.99% to 109,705. Arrivals from Saudi Arabia declined by 19.64% to 24,695. However, some markets like Kuwait (+2.73%) reported good results.

Africa: Arrivals from Africa grew by 8.41% to 158,630, mainly due to arrivals from South Africa (80,109).

In 2018, TAT has set a target of 36 million arrivals and 1.97 trillion Baht in expenditure, up 3.85% and 8%, respectively over 2017.

International visitors spent more money in Thailand than in any other Asian country in 2017, according to a UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) report.

The report said that Thailand recorded a total tourism expenditure of USD57 billion in 2017, ahead of Japan (USD34 billion), Hong Kong (USD33 billion), China (USD33 billion) and Taiwan (USD12 billion).

The figures are based on surveys tabulated from credit card spending data and the cash receipts in different countries around the world.

Tourism expenditure to increase next year

UNWTO also predicted that tourism expenditure will increase in the next year, thanks to strong Thai tourism promotion campaigns and growing foreign investment in world-class hotels in Thailand.

The survey also indicated that Thailand has everything for everyone, ranging from luxury villas on private islands to affordable street food, which is why tourists can always find good valuable experiences in Thailand.

Moreover, Bangkok ranked number one on the list of the world’s most-visited cities, according to MasterCard’s annual Global Destination Cities Index 2018. It has been ranked #1 for three consecutive years.

The MasterCard index showed that Thailand is also the only country which has three cities ranked on the list of the world’s most-visited cities: Bangkok (1st), Phuket (12th), and Pattaya (18th).

Bangkok ranked number one on the list of the world’s most-visited cities, according to MasterCard’s annual Global Destination Cities Index 2018

This is the breakdown of the estimated expenditure by the top ten performing markets during January-September 2018.

During the first nine months of the year, Thailand received 28.5 million international tourists, representing 8.7 percent year-on-year growth.

Travellers from China slid 12 percent in August, the biggest drop in more than a year, keeping the overall pace of visitor growth near a 16-month low after a tour boat capsized off Phuket in July which killed 47 Chinese tourists.

Observers in the industry said social media in China had spread negative reports about Thailand over the past few months, resulting in a decline in Chinese bookings.

Free visa : a New Year gift for Chinese tourists

The Thai Cabinet yesterday agreed to waive the Bt2,000 visa-on-arrival fee for tourists from 21 countries for 60 days, in a bid to spruce up one of the main engines of economic growth.

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Thailand attracted second highest number of tourists in the region with 32.58 million visitors in 2016

The Asia Pacific region has outperformed all other regions in terms of growth, with international tourist arrivals increasing an average 7% per year compared to the world average of 4%.

The Asia Pacific region accounts for 30 per cent of the world’s international tourism receipts.

Thailand attracted second highest number of tourists in the region with 32.58 million visitors in 2016.

The country has an easy visa policy that makes it easier for tourists to travel. Malaysia attracted 26.75 million tourists last year, although the average number of days of stay decreased.

Japan and India followed with 24.04 and 14.56 million tourists respectively

In India, it was a new high since foreign tourist arrival crossed ten million for the first time and pushed the country’s earnings to 27 billion dollars. The numbers also helped the country go up 25 places in the Tourism competitive Index.

Chinese tourists visiting the Golden Temple in Kyoto, Japan.

South Korea had the sixth highest number of tourists in the year 2016

However the numbers plunged to a low owing to the boycott by Chinese tour groups after South Korea installed the Thaad system. Singapore and Vietnam followed with 12.91 million and 10.01 million tourists respectively.

According to the report by World Tourism Organisation the international tourist arrivals have increased from 25 million globally in 1950 to 278 million in 1980, 674 million in 2000, and 1,235 million in 2016.

“Today’s release of international tourism data for the first half of 2018 serves as further proof of the sector’s resilience and relentless growth trajectory.”

China remains one of the leading destinations in Asia. It attracted the highest number of tourists in the region with a record number of inflow of 59.27 million people in the year 2016.

All world regions enjoyed robust growth in tourist arrivals in January-June 2018

The increase was fuelled by strong demand from major source markets, supported by an upswing in the global economy. It comes after record year-round growth of 7% in 2017.

“Today’s release of international tourism data for the first half of 2018 serves as further proof of the sector’s resilience and relentless growth trajectory. We continue to work with our many partners to translate this growth into better jobs, more benefits to societies, and more opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and destinations”, said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

By region, Europe and Asia and the Pacific led growth with a 7% increase in arrivals each. Southern Mediterranean Europe and South-East Asia had the strongest results in these regions, both welcoming 9% more international tourists.

Thailand and Japan have swapped their top positions as the countries Chinese travellers felt comfortable visiting in the latest survey by Hotels.com.

The survey released on also showed Thailand had dropped in the top 10 destinations visited by the Chinese in the last 12 months.

The survey conducted by Hotels.com showed that the new generation of Chinese travellers’ needs and preferences have changed.

Tour groups have grown to be outdated as Chinese travellers are growing to enjoy independent travel in Thailand.

They are more likely to travel on a free-and-easy basis, thanks to Thailand’s local delicacies, ease of visa application, quality of accommodation, and shopping paradise that greatly attracted Chinese travelers.

The kingdom was second behind Japan when the Chinese were asked about countries they felt most welcomed this year.

Last year, Thailand topped the category, with Japan coming second. “Widespread acceptance of Chinese mobile wallets, sufficient translations/signage and ease of information” were the factors that kept Thailand in the second place, the booking website said.

Tourists from China topped foreigners visiting Thailand with 6 million arrivals to Thailand in the first half of this year

Chinese millennials born after 1990 are pushing the boundaries of international travel, increasing their travel expenditure in the past year by a staggering 80 per cent to fund social media-influenced trips full of edgy experiences, high tech accommodation, exotic delicacies and taboo ticket-items.

Keen to get down with authentic experiences, Chinese travelers are putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to spending choice – tasting exotic local delicacies (69 per cent) and scouring the streets for authentic local items (43 per cent) over shopping for luxury items (38 per cent).

Thailand was down five notches from the third rank in 2017 this year on the destinations Chinese visited in the past 12 months, according to the survey, which showed Japan underlined its position as their top destination during the period, sending Hong Kong from the first to second place.

Tourists from China topped foreigners visiting Thailand with 6 million arrivals to Thailand in the first half of this year. The ministry was confident that the target for 11 million Chinese would be within reach this year, despite the tragic accident at sea in Phuket when 47 tourists from China lost their lifes returning from a diving trip in rough seas and bad weather in the Andaman Sea.

Golden temples, beautiful beaches, bustling night markets. Thailand has long been a world-famous tourist destination. It’s expecting a record number of 40 million visitors in 2019 – well over half the country’s population.

And it’s dependent on tourist dollars – it accounts for about 20% of GDP.

But the industry barely existed before 1960. Its origins were in fact born out of a dark passage of American history. Here’s how war made Thailand a tourist destination.

3 million American soldiers sent to South East Asia

The Vietnam War saw over 3 million American soldiers sent to South East Asia. Many would be stationed in Thailand, which became a major ally in the region and home to seven US air bases. At the height of the conflict, some 50,000 military personnel were stationed throughout Thailand.

As America’s involvement in Vietnam deepened, more resources were pumped into the support network in Thailand.

As well as building highways and ports, the US sent aid for other infrastructure and social projects, aiming to improve living standards and combat the spread of communism.

All the while, Thailand’s capital Bangkok became a centre for air travel, as international airlines found it a convenient location to refuel.

It was here in Bangkok where many American soldiers headed for Rest and Recuperation, or ‘R and R’ days.

The top ten source markets of visitors to Thailand in January – July 2018:

Rank

Country

No. of Visitors

% Change

1

China

6,860,924

21.44

2

Malaysia

2,113,875

6.80

3

Korea

1,035,057

5.82

4

Lao PDR.

991,679

9.31

5

India

919,130

13.24

6

Japan

908,059

5.62

7

Russia

900,712

16.24

8

USA

656,327

5.82

9

Vietnam

630,526

7.83

10

Singapore

579,677

2.97

Remark: Preliminary figuresSource: Ministry of Tourism and Sports

Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn commented, “This strong growth is very encouraging in terms of numbers, but even are more important are some of the emerging new trends; such as, the 23.3% increase in visitor arrivals by sea (July 2018), and the higher hotel occupancies being experienced by emerging secondary provinces; such as, Rayong, Suphan Buri, Chainat, Nakhon Pathom, Ang Thong and Phatthalung.”

Some key performance indicators of international arrivals in January-July 2018 were as follows:

A two-day religious ceremony was held on 22 and 23 August in Phuket to mark the 49th day since tourists who lost their lives during the 5 July boat tragedy passed away.

Phuket Vice Governor, Mr. Prakob Wongmaneerung, presided over the first morning event that took place at Saphan Hin Public Park in Phuket. In the evening, H.E. Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, presided over a Chinese religious ceremony.

According to the belief of Chinese Buddhists, the soul departs this world after 49 days and a religious ceremony helps the spirit have a better afterlife. Additional religious services were also held for Buddhist, Sikh, Christian, and Brahman communities.

The second day was dedicated to activities in remembrance of the deceased tourists. These included a mass vegetarian observation and meditation by all participants clad in white to transfer merit to the deceased tourists and relieve them of suffering in the afterlife.

There was also a ‘walk-run’ event marking the long-standing Thai-Chinese relations and a candle-lit ceremony to honour and remember those who lost their lives in the tragic event.

These merit-making ceremonies were attended by key figures and senior representatives from the Thai public and private sectors, families and relatives of the deceased tourists, and members of both Thai and international media.